Job: Bulldozer OperatorPDA.pdf · Caterpillar D10T Bulldozer ... Generally speaking, when in operation, the Bulldozers are generally moving straight ahead or straight back.
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Job: Bulldozer Operator Description: Operates the Bulldozer
Equipment Assessed: Neptune Terminals, Fibreco
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
1. Operating the Bulldozer A) Sitting B) Handling Controls C) Operating Foot Pedals
2. Getting On/Off the Bulldozer
3. Gaining Access to and Exiting the Ship’s Hold
4. Pre-Operation Inspection
Shift Schedule:
At Neptune Terminals, Bulldozer operators work around the clock on 8hr shifts. At Fibreco, the operators may work on day shift only or around the clock (same as Neptune Terminals) as per demand.
If working inside a salt vessel, 8 operators may be dispatched, with 6 bulldozers on the vessel. The operators work a 2 hours on/2 hours off schedule. However, in some cases, the offload may be a continuous operation.
The 8 hour shifts are from 8am-4:30pm and 4:30pm-1am with a 30 minute scheduled lunch break and two 10 minute coffee breaks. There is also a graveyard shift of 6.5 hrs from 1am-8am with a 1/2hr lunch break.
For continuous operations, three operators are dispatched to two Bulldozer Operator positions. Each worker operates the Bulldozer for approximately 2hr40min and then has a 1hr20min break.
Staffing:
At Neptune Terminals, this job is performed continuously. Rather than standard breaks, three operators are dispatched to two Bulldozer Operator positions and follow the break schedule above.
At Fibreco, Bulldozer operators are dispatched as per demand. This may require from 1 to 3 workers. If one worker is dispatched, they will follow the standard break schedule (two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch). If three are dispatched, they will follow the continuous operation schedule above (2hr40min on/1hr20min off).
� Operates the Bulldozer for up to 5.33 hrs out of an 8-hour shift. � The operators drive for 2hr40min and have a break for 1hr20min. � If the operation is not continuous, the operators drive 2 hours on
and then break for 2 hours.
Equipment
� Caterpillar D10T Bulldozer
Task Description
� The Bulldozer is a piece of heavy equipment used to push large volumes of material. At Neptune terminals, it is used to push coal away from and toward the stacker/reclaimer.
� When product is being delivered to the storage area, the Bulldozers continuously move backward and forward pushing the coal away from the coal being delivered by the ‘Stacker’.
� When unloading onto a ship, the Bulldozers continuously push the coal toward the ‘Reclaimer’ that scoops up the coal and delivers it to the conveyor system travelling to the ship.
� When loading a ship, the Bulldozers push the material to the corners of the hold (trimming). � Generally speaking, when in operation, the Bulldozers are generally moving straight ahead
or straight back. � Approximately 66% of driving time going forward, 33% backward (drive slower/in lower
gear going forward because the bulldozer is pushing).
A SITTING Equipment Bulldozer Seat
Duration 5hr 20 min total/shift Frequency Sustained (2hr40min) Force n/a
Task Overview
� Frequent rotation of the neck to the left or right when looking around work area.
� Maximal rotation of the neck to the left and right when
driving backward. � Frequent neck flexion and extension when looking at controls and at
the edges of the blade.
� The operator is seated for the duration of the operating task. � Whole-body vibration when Bulldozer is in operation.
� Significant jolts and bumps when the Bulldozer is travelling or performing forceful movements. Bumps may occur when driving and
looking backward, especially when driving over edges.
B HANDLING CONTROLS Equipment Joysticks, button controls, triggers
Duration up to 5hr 20min Frequency Constant when operating Force Minimal
Task Overview
� Each Bulldozer has a joystick control on the right side of the operator
and a handle on the left side of the operator.
� The controls on the left control forward and reverse.
� The controls on the right hand control the blade (up/down/tilt)
� The controls on the left hand are electric whereas the controls on the right are hydraulic. Force required is minimal.
� As well, there are many other switch controls that are used very
infrequently (heat, radio, many others). � The primary grip for the joystick and left handed controls is a power
grip. � Wrist postures and angles vary depending on the movements.
� � The arms are usually supported by the arm rests.
� Complex small wrist movements in all directions may be required to manipulate the right handed
controls. The left handed controls are primarily operated using the index and middle finger. � The left joystick controls also has a thumb actuated trigger that is used for …
� There are significant dexterity requirements to make fine adjustments to the Bulldozer blade.
���� Operating the Bulldozer Neck � Stretch the neck muscles often to allow tissue recovery
resulting from awkward postures. Try tucking the chin to
place the neck in proper alignment with the spinal column and then rotate the head to one side or the other. Hold
the stretch for 20 seconds. � When driving backward, try to turn the hips in the seat and
get rotation from all parts of the back rather than just from the neck.
Back
� As much as possible, avoid sitting for extended periods of time to minimize static use of back muscles. Stand and stretch whenever possible.
� Take the opportunity to stretch or walk during scheduled breaks to restore blood flow to the spinal tissues.
� Minimize awkward sitting posture by taking the time to adjust seat for best fit
before starting work. � Reverse forward leaning postures by arching the back, squeezing the shoulder
blades together and sticking the chest out (see picture at right).
Shoulders
� Take hands off the joystick whenever not operating the controls. Let shoulders relax and hands rest in lap until required to reach back for joystick again.
� Sit as far back in the seat as possible to reduce the distance needed to reach
behind to access the controls � Use elbow rests to reduce static unsupported postures of the shoulders when
operating the joysticks and hand controls � Stretch the chest muscles to allow recovery from static postures. Sit back in the
seat and combine the neck stretch with a chest stretch by interlocking your
fingers behind your head and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Hold for 20s.
Elbow/Wrist � Maintain neutral wrist posture when operating joystick and controls. Where possible use a power
grip on the joystick to reduce stresses to the small structures in the hand. � Let go of the joystick whenever possible to reduce static
grip stresses to the elbow, hand and forearm.
� Avoid static postures of the fingers when grasping the joystick or when waiting to engage a control. Try to
keep the muscles of the hand and wrist relaxed whenever possible.
� Perform wrist and forearm stretches with elbow straight
to stretch muscles and increase blood flow after periods of particularly repetitive or prolonged static wrist and
� Avoid sustained neck flexion when ascending or descending the stairs and ladders. Check footing
then return to looking in front when climbing up/down.
Shoulder
� Avoid extreme overhead reaching when climbing ladders. Keep arm in close to the side of the body to increase stability through the shoulder joint.
Knee
� Clear footholds of debris before climbing onto the machine. � Maintain balance and beware of debris or precipitation on footholds.
� Avoid jumping down from bottom step to reduce stress to the knee. � Always use three point contact when getting on or off of the Bulldozer.
3. GAINING ACCESS TO/EXITING THE SHIP’S HOLD
Frequency
� Two or six times per shift depending on need. Frequency may vary depending on the needs of the crane operator. Sometimes the crane operator will put a Bulldozer into a ship hold to ‘break up’ the crust/top of the pile and then lift the Bulldozer to the next. This may be repeated during the day.
Equipment � None
Task Description
� If a Bulldozer is needed inside a vessel, the crane (e.g. Red Dog Crane) will be used to lift a Bulldozer from the dock to the inside of the ship’s hold.
� The operator drives the Bulldozer to the ship and then exits the Bulldozer, accessing the hold through the ship. This requires travel by foot up the gangway, through the interior passageways of the vessel, through a hatch and then down a series of ladders/stairs to access the ship’s hold.
� Once inside the ship’s hold, the operator must walk over the loose bulk product (e.g. zinc) and then ascend the Bulldozer. Once the hold is empty or full (depending on the task being performed), the operator is required to reverse this course, climbing series of stairs and ladders to exit the ship and to return to the dock to retrieve the Bulldozer.
���� Gaining Access to/ Exiting the Ship’s Hold Neck
� Avoid sustained neck flexion when ascending or descending the stairs and ladders. Check footing
then return to looking in front when climbing up/down.
Shoulder
� Avoid extreme overhead reaching when climbing ladders. Keep arm in close to the side of the body to increase stability through the shoulder joint.
Knee
� Use hand rail or ladder rungs to help with balance and to assist in pulling up body weight when ascending or to slow rate of descent when coming down the stairs or ladder.
� Avoid jumping down from bottom step to reduce stress to the knee. � Always use three point contact when ascending or descending the ladders or stairs.
4. PERFORMING THE PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION
Frequency
� Each time the operator accesses the Bulldozer. May be 1-3 times a day depending on the operators
have structured their breaks.
Equipment
� None
Task Description
� Operators perform a visual inspection of the Bulldozer by walking around the equipment. Operators
are looking for major mechanical issues (oil leaks, equipment damage).
NOTE: The joint ranges of motion required to perform the visual inspection is significantly less than the
postural ranges required to ascend the Bulldozer. As well, the operator is free to use a variety of different body postures to perform the visual inspection so MSI risks for this task are relatively low.
PRE-OPERATION INSPECTION Equipment None
Duration 1-2 minutes Frequency 1-3 times/shift Force Minimal
FUNCTIONAL DEMANDS WITH MSI POTENTIAL
���� Performing Pre-Operation Inspection
Neck
� Neck flexion may occur as the operator looks down to assess the condition of the tracks.
Back
� Bending and stooping may be required to assess the condition of tracks
Shoulder
� Above shoulder reaching may be required if the operator decides to look more closely at a potential
problem with the engine or with the articulating arm.